First Call: Tyler Glasnow continues All Star run, Ryan Braun gets 'beered'

In “First Call” Monday, the secret behind Tyler Glasnow’s success. Somebody did something to Ryan Braun we’ve all wanted to do. Two Dukes find NFL homes.

What got into Glasnow?

Tyler Glasnow did it again. He cashed in another great start over the weekend for Tampa Bay.

The Rays right-hander silenced the Red Sox on Sunday, tossing 6⅔ innings, allowing two runs, striking out nine and walking one.

Glas-nasty#RaysUp pic.twitter.com/08QKnppDvZ

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) April 28, 2019

The one-time Pirates super-prospect washed out with the Bucs. He was used as part of the Chris Archer trade.

Since then, he has blossomed in Tampa. Glasnow is 5-0 with a 1.75 ERA, 38 strikeouts and seven walks in six starts this season.

He credits a change in mental approach and the atmosphere around the Tampa club house. Via ESPN.com, Glasnow says, “A fresh start is probably what did it. It’s a really relaxed atmosphere. It’s kind of that ‘go out and play baseball in the backyard’ mentality.

“The physical stuff has come along with the mental stuff. I think I’ve always had the ability to throw strikes. I just needed to believe my stuff. That’s what’s changed.”

If Glasnow can keep things in line and let the production live up to the potential, look out.

Beer here!

Ryan Braun has always been one of the most disliked players in the history of PNC Park.

But has any one of the “Left Field Loonies” done this to him?

We know we're the Brewers but that doesn't mean we wanna bathe in ?you guys. pic.twitter.com/eWLcOBHzkm

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) April 28, 2019

Welcome to New York, Ryan! That incident happened against the Mets during a 5-2 loss.

Milwaukee lobbied for interference. But they didn’t get the call in their favor, and Pete Alonso’s triple was allowed to stand.

Dukes in the NFL

Two Duquesne football players have found NFL teams. Star receiver Nehari Crawford signed with the Giants and offensive lineman Matt Fitzpatrick is heading to Seattle.

They both accepted rookie minicamp contracts over the weekend. Crawford — a cousin of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier — ended his Duquesne career with program records in receiving yards (2,719) and receptions (190) in addition to 31 receiving touchdowns.

He also was a return standout for the Dukes, finishing with 4,274 all-purpose yards, with a pair of return touchdowns and a rushing score.

Fitzpatrick is a three-time all-conference performer along the offensive line.

Keep watching

He may never miss.

Watch this Bleacher Report highlight from Klay Thompson. He hits 15 three-pointers in a row from the corner in warm-ups.

15 straight. Barely touched iron.

Klay is ridiculous.

(via @NBCSWarriors)pic.twitter.com/c8ckTjM3js

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 28, 2019

OK. It’s warm-ups not a game. But that’s 15 NBA three-pointers in a row! I can’t tell you the last time I’ve successfully done something 15 times in a row. Like started my car, sipped coffee without spilling it, or even made toast without burning it.

And he just made 15 threes in a row.

Worth a shot

Give Willson Contreras credit for trying to end the thing, right?

With two strikes, two outs in the 13th inning, the Chicago Cubs catcher tried a delayed steal of home plate against Arizona.

It didn’t work out so well.

But in poetic fashion, Ben Zobrist — the guy at bat when Contreras tried the steal — got a hit later in the game.

Ben Zobrist breaks 15th inning tie for #Cubs with a 2-run triple pic.twitter.com/WtK0oa8vOH

— WGN TV News (@WGNNews) April 29, 2019

That helped give the Cubs a 6-5 win two innings later.